The Road of Life: Music and Songwriting Experiences for Older People

Over this summer and autumn, older people across the country have the opportunity to take part in new creative initiatives that are being delivered by Age Friendly Ireland. Creative Ireland is funding the initiatives which respond to research on the value of creative engagement for older people’s health and wellbeing.

MusicAlive’s The Road of Life is the programme for the West Region, a travelling roadshow of workshops that will offer older people taster music and songwriting sessions. Musician Ger Wolfe is leading a mini tour of eight counties in the West Region this August, incorporating literature and proverbs linked to older age.

Participants have an opportunity to input into the sessions through singing and sharing stories that stir people’s memories and imagination. The sessions incorporate a taster songwriting and composition section with the aim of working on ‘sketches of songs’ that might be inspired by local proverbs, expressions or stories.

A well-known Irish musician and singer-songwriter, Ger Wolfe writes and sings in Irish and English. His music regularly features on national radio and TV. Ger loves to engage musically with people, whether at universities or in village halls. Christy Moore is a fan: ‘Ger Wolfe’s songs always raise my spirits; his voice always, always brings me into the song.’

Schedule and Booking Information
To date workshops have taken place in Limerick, Galway and Cork City. Spaces are limited for the remaining workshops so booking is essential with the local contact listed below.

18 August 
CORK CITY: Gurranebraher Churchfield Youth and Community Resource Centre, The Hut, Gurranebraher Road, Gurranebraher T23 R721
Time: 2-4pm
Contact: Liz Madden 087-6977942 | elizabeth.madden2@hse.ie

19 August
CORK: Millstreet Day Centre, Clara Road, Millstreet, Co. Cork P51 RY10
Time: 10.30am-12.30pm
Contact: Tel (029) 70926 | info@millstreetdaycentre.ie

19 August
CORK: Bandon Library, The Old Market, Market St  Bandon, Co. Cork P72 WD58
Time: 2.30-4.30pm
Contact: bandon.library@corkcoco.ie  | (023) 8844830

22 August
CLARE: Shannon Family Resource Centre, Community Centre, Rinneanna View, Shannon, V14 XV97 Time: 11-1pm
Contact: Adelle Aherne, 061 707 600

22 August
CLARE: Glór, Causeway Link, Ennis, Co Clare V95 VHP0
Time: 3-5pm
Contact: Alan Troy, 065 6845370

24 August
GALWAY CITY: Westside Resource Centre, Seamus Quirke Rd, Galway City, H91 C1KX
Time: 3-5pm
Contact: Aisling Colreavy, 085 821 7547

25 August
GALWAY: Oughterard Library Main Street, Oughterard, Co Galway, H91 CC96
Time: 11am-1pm
Contact: Karen Connolly kconnolly@galwaylibrary.ie | (091) 557 002
Bernie Kelly Bkelly@galwaycoco.ie | 091 509179

26 August
KERRY: Siamsa Tire Theatre, Town Park, Tralee, Co Kerry V92 XW44
Time: 11am -1pm
Contact: Theatre: 066 7123055 or book online at  www.siamsatire.com

26 August
KERRY: CYMS Hall, Mill Rd., Killorglin, Co Kerry V93DN1Y
Time: 3-5pm
Contact: Aidan 066 9762053 during office hours 10am-5.30pm or cymskillorglin@gmail.com
(Please note Hall closed during Puck Fair 7 -14 August, will reopen to take bookings from 15 August)

30 August
GALWAY CITY: Ballybane Community Resource Centre, Castlepark Rd, Ballybane Rd, H91 VP6D
Time: 3-5pm
Contact: Aisling Colreavy, 085 821 7547

Date TBC (rescheduled)
TIPPERARY: Nenagh Library, O’Rahilly Street, Nenagh, E45 AK50
Time: 11am-1pm
Contact: Margaret Ryan, 067 34404

Date TBC (rescheduled)
TIPPERARY: Clonmel Library, Emmet Street, Clonmel, E91 YW66
Time: 3-5pm
Contact: Anne Marie Mullins, 052 616 6129/052 616 6130

For further information see www.musicalive.ie